Finding ways to become receptive and open

“We need to find a way to become receptive and open.” - Jack Kornfield

As you begin to read this blog I would like to invite you to pause for a moment and recall 4 things that you are grateful for in the last 24 hours.  It can be absolutely anything at all.  For me it is a walk across the fields where I saw hares running across an open field, tasting my porridge that my fiancée kindly made for me, watching my dog roll in the dew of the early morning and racing off in excitement and last but by no means least, being able to smell and enjoy the vision of roses in the garden.

Smell and taste are particularly significant for many reasons.  As you may have read from a previous blog, I could not smell and taste for over 20 years.  Throughout those years of loss and longing I spent so much time in my head, lost in thought and furthermore, often disregarding my other senses.  I and nobody else could work out why and what had caused this to happen.  My anger left me disconnected from my body and unable to be with my feelings of rage and sadness. 

“... I am now able to see that my thoughts robbed me of my ability to receive and be open to the present moment and to feel happy and joyful.”

Rachel Podger

On reflection, I am now able to see that my thoughts robbed me of my ability to receive and be open to the present moment and to feel happy and joyful.

To reflect on my day and take time to remember what I am grateful for, brings me back into the present and into connection with my slowly ageing body and helps me to be more receptive and open to what I am grateful for.  This isn’t always easy, we are hardwired to focus on the negative, but for my own physical, mental and spiritual well-being, it is as essential aspect of self-care.

“it is the difficult, slow letting go that allows us to awaken from our enchantment.” - Jack Kornfield